Rethinking Male Peer Support Theory: Social Network Responses to Young Men’s Violence Against Women

Abstract

Male Peer Support Theory (MPST) is one of the few principal theories about masculinity and men’s violence against women. The theory foregrounds the role of social networks in encouraging violence. This article offers a critical discussion of MPST, particularly the assumption that social networks primarily support violence. Drawing on a qualitative study of young men perpetrators in Sweden, we suggest that the concept of response is better suited than support in capturing the diversity of social network responses to violence. In our data, there were few stories about unmitigated pro-abuse support. Instead, we found responses that unequivocally condemned violence, as well as ambiguous and transformative responses. We suggest that such responses be understood in relation to changing attitudes concerning violence.

“It’s Not Just Dad Who’s Got Problems”: Feminist Phenomenology and Young Men’s Violence Against Women

“…We took measures to safeguard the well-being of both participants and researchers: the interviews took place at treatment or other facilities where there were other people around, and we provided contact with counselling services where appropriate. The interviews covered various topics, including how and why the young men were abusive as well as how family, friends and others had responded to their abuse (Berggren & Gottzén 2022). In this sense, the interviews offered the men a place to reflect about their abusive behavior.…”

“…However, the increasing public support for gender equality ideals and the de-legitimization of intimate partner violence means that violence is becoming less accepted than before. The young men in our study sometimes met objections from their partners, received "transformative responses" from their social networks (Berggren & Gottzén 2022) or came into contact with anti-violence messages and campaigns in public. These encounters prompted the young men to reconsider their actions, seek help and/or agree to be interviewed for our research study.…”

Who uses domestic, family, and sexual violence, how, and why? The State of Knowledge Report on Violence Perpetration

“…For example, a qualitative interview study of young male perpetrators in Sweden documented mixed responses to violence in their social networks. 168 The formal and informal characteristics of institutions, such as workplaces, also shape the perpetration of violence. Focusing on sexual harassment, for example, environmental or situational risk factors for higher levels of perpetration and victimisation in workplaces include organisational tolerance of harassment (e.g., through formal or informal policies and practices that allow sexual harassment to continue); 116,[169][170][171][172] male-dominated environments and gender ratios; 170,172 significant power differentials within hierarchical organisations; 172 and the extent of uncivil behaviour in the organisation and the organisation's 'justice climate'.…”